5

The Mall

Elsa hated crowds. That's why she picked such a secluded cabin. It's also why she sectioned off an area of the beach. When Elsa gave Anna the option to choose whatever she wanted, Elsa assumed Anna would've picked sunbathing on the beach based on her internet research she did on the plane. Now she knows better. Anna is a peculiar girl Elsa thought. Anna was intriguing, emotional, social, all things that Elsa was not.

At the same time, Anna had her own issues. She's annoying, pushy, angry… the list went on. Elsa remembered back to the plane, where Elsa had provoked Anna, albeit unintentionally.

She still needed to make it up to Anna. She never meant to hurt her. Elsa had considered buying Anna a gift while they were at the mall, if she could get the girl distracted enough, but what gift do you buy from a mall for someone who could buy the mall itself? Elsa didn't know.

Elsa pushed the thoughts out of her mind. It was too late to worry about the past, she had to keep Anna in her sights. Where did that girl go?
"Security Team Two have you seen the target leave the store?" Elsa said into the watch on her wrist.
"This is security team two, we have seen no such activity." The plastic earpiece responded. She must still be in the store. "Do we have a problem?"
"Negative Security Team, hold your position."

Setting up security in the mall had been a nightmare just as she anticipated. Elsa decided she'd be at Anna's side at all times as the first line of defense. She then had two teams following them at a distance, and one team a few stores ahead of them. She even brought in extra security SUV's at every exit just in case and backup security SUV's in case the first ones failed. Elsa was not going to let Anna down again.
"Boo!" Anna jumped out from inside a rack of clothes with a mask over her face. Elsa didn't even flinch. At least she was enjoying herself.
"Aw man, I totally got you." Anna said.
"Got me what?" Anna just rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on now, the Ice Queen doesn't get scared?"
Ice Queen. Every time she heard that name come out of Anna's mouth it was like shoving a knife deeper in her brain. It wasn't the nickname in itself that she hated, it was what it reminded her of.

Her nickname reminded her how distant she was from other people. No matter how hard she tried, Elsa could never be like one of them. It reminded her of the crippling loneliness she felt when she tried to sleep at night, most nights unsuccessfully. It reminded her of what she was, a monster. A killer. Worst of all, it reminded her of the innocent people she'd killed.
"It doesn't happen very often." Elsa admitted. Anna had her mask off by now.
"But it does happen doesn't it? See you do have feelings. Somewhere, deep down in that little fucked up noggin of yours." Elsa ignored her.
"I feel like we should leave this store."
"We've only been here five minutes."
"True, but they are just like all the other stores. It's just… Clothes."
"Just clothes?" Anna said, appalled. "These aren't just clothes, they're accessories. Every piece of clothing shows something about who you are." Anna grabbed a dress from the rack she had been hiding in and pretended to wear it. She struck a pose. "Don't you see?"
"I understand the logic I just don't find the process enjoyable."
"Enjoyable? The Ice Queen?" The knife jammed itself deeper into Elsa's mind "I can't imagine you finding anything enjoyable. What exactly do you find 'enjoyable'?"

Now that, was a good question. Elsa rarely had free time, or rather, she rarely allowed herself free time. During the time she wasn't working she would usually be preparing for the next job. She would exercise, practice martial arts, or research prospective clients. However, lately, before falling asleep, she would find herself sitting in a comfortable chair, or looking out a window, and she would use that time to collect her thoughts.
"I like to think." Elsa said with a slight nod, satisfied with her answer. Anna, on the other hand, was not.
"You like to think? What kind of an insane person are you? Thinking isn't a 'fun' thing. Come on, you don't do anything else for fun?" Elsa shook her head. "Nothing? You don't go out with friends?"
"I don't have any."
"Oh." Anna said, somewhat struck by Elsa's response. Elsa felt herself slouch. Anna was right. She didn't do things for fun, that was too normal and Elsa could never be normal, she could never have friends, she could never see what it's like to go to school. The list could go on and on. It would've if Elsa didn't stop herself.
"What about that guy from the plane?"
"Hans?"
"Yeah, what about him? You aren't friends with him?" Elsa thought for a moment.
"Hans and I have a history. We have worked numerous jobs together. That said, I would still not consider him a friend. Long Time Work Associate is a more accurate term." Anna shifted her stance.
"So you guys aren't like, ya know, a thing?"
"A thing?"
"You know, like you guys aren't dating or something?" Elsa smirked.
"Hans and I?" Elsa grinned now. What an absurd idea. Hans and her together and as a couple. Did Anna think that? Elsa let out a small giggle.
"Oh my god." Anna said, in shock. Elsa's smiles were cut short and replaced with concern.
"What? What's wrong?"
"The Ice Queen," the name still hurt, "has emotions." Anna threw her hands in the air. "May I have everyone's attention please?" Anna said, mock giving a speech. She took it a step further and clambered up onto a nearby table that had some folded shirts on it. A few shirts fell to the floor. "Elsa Skyridge, the fabled Ice Queen, has actual real emotions."
"Anna, please, get down. You're attracting too much attention."
"Oh come on Elsa, lighten up. I'm just excited that you aren't actually a robot."
"I'm not a robot. I'm… more like a calculator because I'm something you can count on."
"Oh my god. Was that a pun?" Elsa nodded smiling. "She does humor now too? Who are you and what have you done with my head of security?" Anna said. Her smile mirrored Elsa's. Elsa looked up at the girl who was beaming down at her. Anna's look made Elsa feel… She didn't know how to place her emotions. She hadn't experienced enough of them to gauge them. She would have to do research when they got back to the cabin.
"You should really get down from there." Elsa said.
"Oh, fine." Elsa offered her hand to help Anna down. Anna hesitated but took it anyways. A woman in a store uniform began walking in their direction.
"I think we should leave."
"That's probably for the best." Together, they walked out the store and into the main section of the mall. People rushed by. In the center of the walkway were a few food carts. The smell of soft pretzels wafted in their direction. Elsa hated every second. Someone bumped into Elsa. Her hand shot out and grabbed him.
"Sorry ma'am." The man said, shrugging her arm off.

She heard Anna scream. Elsa whipped her head around towards the direction of the sound. She could see Anna's copper hair bouncing 20 feet away down the corridor.
"Anna!" Elsa called. She began pushing her way through the crowd. Like a snake she weaved around groups of people, keeping her vision locked on Anna's hair. "Team two move into position" Elsa said into her watch. The hair stopped moving. Elsa seized her opportunity shoving a few innocent people to the ground in her wake. She grabbed the girls shoulder, turning her around. "Anna." She said. Elsa was greeted by Anna's face in the widest grin she had ever seen.
"They have a movie theater?" She proclaimed. "We've got to go see something!" Anna jumped up and down. Elsa was out of breath, still reeling from losing Anna. Elsa looked up. They were near the end of the mall. A giant old fashion sign with flashing lights read Movie Theater above them. Further down, a few ticket booths and movie times were near the entrance to the theater.
"Anna, don't ever do that again." She said, putting her hands on her knees. Two suited men came bounding down the corridor. Elsa put her hand up. "Everything is fine. The client is secure."
"Can we see a movie? Please?"
Elsa stood up straight. At that moment she realized she was taller than Anna, just by a few inches. Her gaze cast downward to look Anna in her eyes. "I said you can do whatever you want today. You don't even have to ask." Anna smiled. She turned towards the movie theater and started to walk but stopped when she realized Elsa wasn't with her. She turned back, "Come on!" Anna offered her hand. Elsa hesitated. Anna just rolled her eyes. "This way you won't lose me, now come on." Anna grabbed Elsa's hand and they rushed into the theater.

All the movies that were being shown were old. It must take a while for movies to be shipped all the way here. Anna had seen them all but she didn't care. She was just happy to be seeing a movie. She couldn't remember the last time someone had let her go to a movie theater. It had to have been years. She got a little carried away with the popcorn and snacks. She bought the biggest bucket they had, two bags of m&m's, and two large pops, even though it would just be Anna and Elsa in the theater.

Elsa had decided to leave all the guards just outside the exits except for Elsa, of course. Elsa had said she would remained by her side and Anna knew she meant it. Right now Elsa was sat next to her. She was holding the bucket of popcorn, eating pieces as the movie roared in the background. Anna decided on The Princess Bride. It was old, sure, but Elsa hadn't seen it.

"You haven't seen The Princess Bride?" Anna had said, back at the ticket counter.
"That movie sounds like it lacks originality." Anna ignored her comment.
"But you haven't seen it?"
"No. I don't see very many movies."
"It's a classic! You seriously haven't seen it?"
"Yes."
"You have?"
"No. Yes, I haven't."
"Well, whatever, we're seeing it."

Now the movie was almost over. Anna looked over at Elsa. For some reason, in the movie theater, Elsa's didn't hide any of her emotions. Perhaps it was the seclusion, or maybe it was the darkness, but one thing was for sure. It was far more entertaining to watch Elsa's face than it was to watch the movie. During the movie she saw Elsa breakout into fits of laughter, she saw her brow pushed together in frustration, and she even saw a few tears escape her diamond eyes that almost seemed to glow in the darkness of the theater.

For the first time, Anna saw Elsa. Saw her through and through. She didn't see her as an emotionless slate or just another body guard. In that theater she saw Elsa's loneliness, her sadness. She also saw how happy she could be, how much joy she could bring to other people. She saw Elsa for who she was, not what she did, even if what she did was hurt Anna less than a day ago. None of that mattered anymore. She saw herself in the Elsa as well. Elsa was isolated, kinda like Anna in her own weird sort of way, but then again, not at all. Whatever she was feeling now was too complicated to process during the period of one movie. What mattered now was what Anna decided in that moment. She is a good person. Anna thought. She's not just another security guard. She's good and admittedly, deserves to be treated well.

The lights turned on. The movie must've been over. Elsa turned and faced Anna. Anna had been staring at her.
"What?" Elsa said.
"Ya know, for a while you had me fooled." Elsa shifted in her seat. "I thought you were just another brick wall." Anna leaned towards Elsa "but you're not." She sang.
"Are you always this annoying after movies?"
"Do you always cry during movies?"
"Remind me to never see another movie with you again." Elsa huffed.
"No, Elsa it's a good thing, it just means you're human." Then she paused. Her voice quieter and she said "but we can do this again sometime right?" Elsa blinked.
"I do not see any reason why we would be unable." Anna smiled. Elsa looked down at the bucket of popcorn she had in her lap. "We should get food."
"I know the perfect thing."
"What?"
"It's a surprise. Come on!" Anna grabbed Elsa's hand and pulled her out of the movie theater, the bucket of popcorn in her lap spilled all over the floor, but they ignored it. The two ran down the corridor of the mall and out the front door. Outside the SUV's waited for them. They got in and soon the cars were speeding down the streets, back towards the cabin.

Inside the SUV it was silent, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. Something was different now. Usually Anna felt like she needed to fill the silence of her bodyguard ridden car rides with her own voice, but that need was gone now. She smiled as she watched the buildings pass by in blurs.

The buildings faded and they were engulfed in the jungle just like before. Anna took the time to study Elsa. The light from between the trees cast shadows across her face. Elsa's skin was pale, Anna had noticed that immediately after meeting her, but looking closely she noticed freckles just under the surface of her skin. Her hair was pulled sideways into a braid. Elsa seemed lost, deep in thought. Her hands raked up and down the braid. What she was thinking about Anna hadn't the slightest clue.
"What did you think of the movie?" Anna asked.
"I'm still thinking about it."
"Yeah but did you like it or…" Elsa looked at her, annoyed. "Okay, okay. Sorry, I get it, you like to think." Elsa returned to looking out the window. Elsa's stomach growled.
"What are we eating for dinner?"
"You'll see." The bump in the road caused her to hit her head on the ceiling. "Agh." She exclaimed. "Not again." Elsa rushed to Anna's side.
"Are you okay? Where does it hurt?" Anna pointed towards the part where she hit her head. Elsa grabbed Anna's head with her hands. She found the spot and massaged it. The pain dissipated. "How the hell did you do that?"
"It's an old trick." Elsa said smiling.
"Who'd you learn it from, Mr. Miyagi?" Elsa tilted her head. "You haven't seen Karate Kid?" Elsa shook her head. "Oh my god, we have to watch more movies now."

The car slowed to a halt. They were outside the cabin. They stepped out of the car and walked inside. Well, Elsa walked, Anna half ran, half danced inside. As soon as she opened the front door she ran into the kitchen. Immediately Anna began looking through the cabinets. She pulled out various ingredients onto the counter.
"Pancakes?" Elsa said.
"Yes." Anna said giggling.
"For dinner?" She said, still dumbfounded.
"Yes!" Anna insisted. She didn't know how to make anything else but she didn't want to tell Elsa that. The perfect end to a halfway decent day she thought. She poured the pancake mix into the bowl, along with whatever other ingredients they needed. Some eggs, milk, whatever. "You don't approve?" Anna said.
"You could say I'm flattened with shock" Elsa said. Anna stopped what she was doing.
"That was terrible." Anna rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Come in here, I need your help." Elsa was standing in the living room of the cabin. She muttered something Anna couldn't hear but entered the kitchen anyways. Ingredients, some extra pancake mix as well as the batter she was making that had spilled out of the bowl in haste, were strewn across the counter.
"What do you need?"
"Take that spatula," Anna motioned, her hands were full mixing the batter. "And make some pancakes. The stove is hot, it should be ready by now."
"Why do you need me?"
"Well, I don't make the pancakes, I just make the batter, that's just how dad and I used to do it." In fact, she hadn't made pancakes since he died. "He always said I undercooked them, which makes sense I guess. I've never really been a patient person." Anna looked to the floor. For a moment she just stared at the ground. Elsa just nodded and grabbed the spatula off the counter.

"Don't worry, I think I can handle… It" Elsa said, shaking the handle of the spatula and pulling Anna out of her daze.

"Seriously?" Anna smiled and poured the batter onto the skillet. It sizzled as it made contact with the pan. Then one after the other they made a tall stack of pancakes.

The two sat on the couch after they devoured their pancakes. Neither one had the patience to wait until they sat down. By the time they made it to the couch they held empty and syrup stained plates. They made room for them on the floor and collapsed onto the couch. Elsa sat on one end, Anna on the other. A breeze rolled through the room. Everything felt so… unprofessional. She was so relaxed. It seemed so unlike she should be. She was a CEO making a major deal, not some kid on a vacation. Kai never would have approved of this. A thought popped into her head.
"Hey Elsa?" Anna asked.
"Yes?"
"Kai didn't pick this cabin, did he?" Elsa froze.
"Of course he did. It's in the itinerary, do you need to look it over again." Elsa began to stand up but Anna grabbed one of her hands, and stopped Elsa. She guided Elsa back down to the seat.
"Why we here?" Anna said. Elsa shifted in her seat. She stared out the window, refusing to make eye contact. "Elsa, you didn't bring me all the way out here to kill me right?" Elsa looked back at her and smiled warmly.
"No."
"Are you sure? You could make a whole lot of money kidnapping me for ransom." Elsa just shook her head, stifling a giggle. "Then why are we here and not at some fancy hotel Kai reserved?" Anna said.
"If you want to go to the hotel we can. It is still reserved, I looked at it last week, and it's beautiful. It's got this giant window-"
"You're changing the subject." Elsa sighed.
"After the… incident on the plane I felt that my actions were unacceptable. I jeopardized ruining your trip. In response I decided the best course of action was to make the rest of your trip as comfortable as possible. I arranged the cabin for you in hopes that your trip could be redeemed despite my setbacks."
"You did all that for me?"
"It was necessary."
"Necessary for Kai maybe but not for my head of security." Elsa considered this a moment but didn't say anything in response. "Why did you say it was Kai then?"
"I felt that if I told you this morning that I was behind the cabin you would've said no." Elsa was right. She would've been too blinded by rage to see past anything. That seemed like so long go
"The chocolates too?" Elsa sighed.
"Yes."
"The itinerary being cleared? The mall?"
"Yes." Anna could feel tears begin to well up in her eyes.
"You did all that for me?"
"Of course."
"But… Why? I was being a… a bitch… on purpose. I made you go to a mall even though I knew it would make you uncomfortable, I kept calling you names. Why? Why are you still nice to me?" She felt a tear roll down her cheek.
"Because some people deserve it." She said, almost a whisper. Anna rushed towards the woman in a big bear hug.
"Elsa I'm sorry" She said through tears. "I didn't know." Elsa sat, awkward and frozen in place. "I'm sorry." Anna repeated. After a moment, Elsa relaxed into the girls arms. She held her for a while. All Anna could say was "I'm sorry" on repeat. After they separated Anna wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I should go to bed…" Anna said. She started to get up but looked over at Elsa first. Elsa motioned Anna into her lap. Anna laid across the couch, her head in Elsa's lap, as if they were old friends. For a while everything was quiet. Anna began to drift off into sleep. She felt Elsa shift underneath her.
"You know, I don't like you very much." Anna said.
"Well that's good because I don't like you very much either." Elsa said, smiling.
"I think this could work out, just for a few weeks." Anna looked up at Elsa.
"I think so too."
"Your lap is very comfy." Anna said, snuggling in closer.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." A comfortable silence fell between them.
"I'm gonna make it up to you." Anna muttered, drifting off to sleep.
"You don't have to."
"Yes I do. I'm gonna make it up to you so much. It's gonna be great." Anna yawned. The two fell asleep and all was good… for now.

A/N: Thanks for reading guys. This one was a little sappy kinda in the spirit of things though, being valentines day and all. So, I thought I'd leave a kinda sappy Authors Note. This is the last time I'm gonna say it, thank you guys so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, following, and whatever else you can do. Admittedly I'm not the most confident human being in the world but every time I read your reviews I get a stupid smile on my face. So thank you guys so much. I hope you're enjoying the story so far there is still a hell of a lot more to come.